5 things to do this summer that you haven’t done already

The days are getting the smallest bit shorter, and it won’t be long until the back-to-school deals are back in force.

But, before you get too stressed out, remember that it’s only July, and there’s still plenty of time for summer fun.

By now, you’ve probably already done a lot of the traditional summer activities like going to the pool, hitting up all the ice cream spots in town and enjoying patio drinks, but there are still plenty of things to add to that summer to-do list.

Here are five summer activities you might not yet have thought to try:

Night hikes: Good Earth State Park has a guided night hike where you can get a break from the heat of the day and take in the beautiful dark skies above the park. On the hike Aug. 14, you can catch glimpses of the Perseid meteor shower.

Family crafts: The Museum of Visual Materials has a variety of arts and craft classes available throughout the summer for both kids and adults. Upcoming classes include a mountain landscape painting class Wednesday and a unicorn painting class Aug. 10. Find a full calendar of events here. You also can order a “curbside craft” where you choose from options available online and schedule a time to pick up craft materials to work on your own time.

Staycation: Need a night away but sick of traveling? There are tons of spots for a staycation in and around Sioux Falls. Outside of the obvious campsites at local state parks, you also can rent cabins at Palisades and Newton Hills state parks. You can check out a local AirBnb for a taste of downtown loft living, a classic Tudor home experience near McKennan Park or a plant-filled greenhouse-style home in the All Saints neighborhood.

Ride at night: We know lots of you got new bikes in the past couple of years, so bring them out at night for one of the Moon & Stars bike rides organized through Erik’s bike shop. It’s a fast-paced group ride through Sioux Falls city streets and on the bike path that starts at 7:15 p.m., with the occasional single track thrown in, ending up at Remedy Brewing Co. The next ones are Aug. 9 and 23. Watch the shop’s Facebook page for future dates and information. 

Plan your own progressive dinner: Can’t decide where to go for dinner? Make a night of it by choosing different restaurants for different courses and exploring places you haven’t yet been. For example, start with drinks at The Treasury, dinner at Chef Lance’s on Phillips and dessert at Prairie Cocoa & Confections. This approach also works well with food trucks. Want to make sure you’ve sampled all those? Here’s the complete guide:

Love food trucks? Here’s your complete guide to the 2021 season